Secretion of adiponectin by human placenta: differential modulation of adiponectin and its receptors by cytokines.

Aims/hypothesis Pregnancy, a state of insulin resistance, is associated with elevated levels of cytokines and profound alterations in metabolism. Serum adiponectin, an adipokine with anti-inflammatory and insulin-sensitising properties, has been shown to be lower in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus, a state of greater insulin resistance than normal pregnancies. Hypothesising that the human placenta is a source of adiponectin, we investigated its expression and secretion, and the regulation by cytokines of adiponectin and its receptors.